Trump's hostile remarks aren't merely his personality traits. They serve as his tactical approach.
While some of his loyal supporters persistently urge for the previously convicted and twice-impeached ex-president to tame his wildest indulgences, or else risk losing the 2024 election, reports indicate.
In an attempt to hone Trump's focus, his campaign is arranging a new roster of policy speeches, town halls, and rallies in pivotal battle states as he battles to gain ground in the altered race against Vice President Kamala Harris. According to CNN, the new strategy was a response to the success of the Democratic National Convention last week and the disciplined commencement of Harris' hopeful campaign, which poses a threat to Trump's reclaiming the White House, surpassing the bid President Joe Biden abandoned due to concerns over his age. The accelerated pace by Trump is a result of the pressing urgency of the condensed sprint leading up to the November election and is aimed at redefining the ex-president before his encounter with Harris in their debate on September 10.
The ‘real world’ versus the Democratic ‘euphoria’
Trump's campaign team and his closest allies are attempting to reason with him, persuading him that his future rests in a more serious stance.
One of Trump's high-ranking congressional allies, Sen. Lindsey Graham, warned on Sunday's "State of the Union" that the optimistic message of positive change from the Democrats presented an opportunity for Trump. Graham declared on CNN's Jake Tapper, "This whole joy, love fest doesn't exist in the real world." He further elaborated, "The world is on fire. Your grocery bill is up. Your gas bill is up. Your mortgage payments are up. And the worst is yet to come if you reelect these people yet again." The South Carolina Republican, seemingly addressing Trump, concluded, "Compare what you did as president to the life we're leading now and offer people some hope that change is coming."
Graham's commentary reflected the arduous struggle faced by many top Republicans who must maintain allegiance to the ex-president due to his stronghold over the party's base while simultaneously fretting about the potential harm caused by his erratic behavior, which damages the Republican cause and his own election chances.
Republicans seeking moderation from Trump have repeatedly been disappointed. Over the years, Trump has peppered his presidential political journey with lies and falsehoods. Consistency is his only true trait, as self-promotion, tirades, aggression, and threats have been his lifelong instruments of notoriety, which propelled him to victory in 2016 by tapping into anger against political, media, cultural, and business elites – ultimately disrupting Washington. When Trump's supporters plead for him to maintain a more temperate demeanor by avoiding outrageous social media rants or personal attacks, they are essentially asking him to suppress an integral part of himself and to dilute his signature political strategies.
Frustration plagues GOP campaign experts because the apparent path to victory against an unpopular administration’s vice president – focusing on issues that matter most to voters and on which Republicans hold an edge – doesn't seem elusive, and yet, Trump’s policy points are often drowned out by his theatrics and impulsive social media posts.
"I will do my best"
Trump has acknowledged the criticism. However, during a boisterous event in Arizona on Friday, he seemed unconvinced. Typically, he tried various attacks and criticisms, gauging his audience's response like a jazz musician experimenting with a familiar tune. He lamented the attacks on his character by Harris, the Obamas, and others during the Democratic convention, then polled his supporters on whether he should heed his advisors' advice to refrain from lashing out.
In a mocking tone, Trump mimicked their suggestions, stating, "They say to me, 'Sir... please stick to policy, don't stick to personality. You should be nice to people, sir.'” He continued, “I call them up, my geniuses - they get paid a fortune – actually, not that much... but I call up my people and say, 'They are knocking the hell out of me, and you say I shouldn't get personal. But I am going to do my best.'"
One reason for their worry is that the former president is navigating a trap. While Trump's defiance and rebellion propelled him to victory in the 2016 election against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, his pursuit of chaos contributed to his disastrous handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, ultimately leading to his ousting from office after a solitary term.
Harris made a strategic adjustment to her party's anti-Trump strategy since Biden made an abstract argument that Trump posed a threat to the nation's soul and democracy.
Her tactical shift involved former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton ridiculing their fellow ex-president, successfully provoking Trump into a response that bolstered the second part of Harris' statement. And, as always, Trump obliged with his frenzied social media posts during her speech and uncontrollable improvisations in his remarks in Arizona.
Kamala Harris' main campaign slogan is "We're not going back," referring to the turmoil and self-centeredness of the Trump White House era. When Trump lashes out, it serves as a reminder of those times. Harris believes the country is prepared to "advance" beyond these days. In her convention speech, she stated that her opponents are constantly criticizing America and proposing a negative outlook, while offering an alternative of "freedom, opportunity, empathy, respect, fairness, and endless opportunities."
Contrary to Graham's belief that the nation isn't ready for positivity, Harris believes America is primed for optimism after a period of Trump's relentless impact on the national psyche, the pandemic, and financial struggles that have eroded a sense of stability for many working- and middle-class individuals. Similar to numerous American leaders throughout history, she's presenting herself as a symbol of hope, seeking to ignite a grassroots movement for change.
Despite pleasing Democrats, Harris is under pressure to maintain her largely flawless campaign launch to extend her political honeymoon.
Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii commented on Friday, "We'll have bad days in campaigns, but not having one in 30 days is crazy. Only the paranoid survive in politics, so we need to convert this momentum into action over the next couple of weeks."
This will become more challenging as Harris transitions from the secured environment of her convention and rallies to the debate with Trump on September 10, which is now considered the most pivotal moment in her public career that has sometimes been marred by her inability to swiftly respond to policy inquiries.
The Trump campaign predicted this weekend that Harris, who has closed Biden's polling gaps in swing states and nationally, would gain additional momentum following the convention. However, the race remains incredibly tight.
The election is shaping up to be a grueling battle for every single vote in the crucial swing states. This will test Harris's ability to prolong her political honeymoon, while also elevating the pressure on her opponent to deliver a focused and disciplined message.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Trump's gut feeling about how to win in November is correct, or whether his divisive spectacle that led him to the White House eight years ago could be his downfall this time around.
In light of Graham's warnings about the Democrats' positive message not reflecting reality, Trump's campaign team needs to strike a balance between politics and maintaining his loyal base.
Given the tight race leading up to November's election, Trump's focus on politics and policy speeches could be crucial in redefining his image and positioning himself against Vice President Kamala Harris in their upcoming debate.
